Speakers

Mark Bouris has established a successful career from building disruptive businesses to challenge the market and provide smarter solutions for consumers.

 

Mark’s current positions include Executive Chairman of Yellow Brick Road Group (ASX:YBR) and Non-Executive Director of Sydney Roosters Football Club and Eastern Suburbs Leagues Club. He is also an Adjunct Professor for Banking & Finance and Business Law & Tax at UNSW Business School and works with the University to mentor tomorrow’s business leaders.

 

In 2015, Mark was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the finance industry and tertiary education and has most recently acted as Chairman of the Taskforce into Digitisation of Small Businesses in Australia for the Australian Treasury.

 

Mark founded Mentored in 2017, where he hosts The Mentored and Straight Talk podcasts, and provides mentoring on the Survive and Thrive series and Mentored.com.au. He is also the author of Wealth Wizard, The Yellow Brick Road to Your Financial Security, and What it Takes.

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See more at:

https://ybr.com.au/

https://mentored.com.au/

Simon Cohen; a household name to many who has established one of the most successful businesses in the industry. As Co-Founder of Cohen Handler, Costi Cohen & Cohen Farquharson, Simon continues to pave the way for the Australian Real Estate industry by delivering a client experience like no other. Simon’s highly regarded success dates back to 2009 when he Co-Founded Australia’s largest Property Buyers Agency with arms in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane & Perth. Since then, Simon has created a legacy brand for his clients, his team, and the industry itself. 

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His profound status in the industry demanded a high level of publicity leading to Simon starring in the docu-reality series ‘Luxe Listings Sydney’ that “has transported viewers into the fast-paced world of buying and selling high-end luxury real estate”- Amazon Prime Video. Having contributed to circa $670 million worth of property purchased in 2021 alone, Simon has transacted some of Sydney’s most prestigious assets, playing testament to a long-standing ethic that extends well beyond the job. His superior status in the arena is derived from his raw dedication to exceeding clients’ expectations while developing and nurturing his team. 

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With an infinite network of connections, Simon & business partner Tas Costi are defining a new league for Australia's first Commercial Buyers’ Agency, Costi Cohen.

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Graeme Holm is Australia’s original money mentor, he has earned the title of Australia’s most innovative Finance Broker in 2020 but more importantly has been awarded Australia’s #1 Finance Broker 3 times across 3 independent organisations including the Advisers Australian broking awards in 2019, the Finance Brokers association of Australia FBAA in in 2021 and Rate my agent in 2022 being the #1 customer trusted and reviewed Finance Broker in Australia.

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Graeme has frequently spoken on stage with the world’s most significant business leaders and industry disruptors such as but not limited to; Sir Richard Branson, Robert Kiyosaki, Tony Robbins, Grant Cardone and Gary V.

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Graeme really is pioneering the Finance broking industry with a business now holding in excess of 60 awards in just 6 years of Finance broking.

Mhairi is the founder and managing director of Astute Ability Finance Group. She is a multi-award-winning Business and Equipment Finance Broker with over two decades of industry experience. Offering an Australia-wide service, Mhairi arranges every type of finance imaginable, and she is renowned for negotiating difficult deals with lenders and making the impossible happen.

In addition to running her successful brokerage team Mhairi generously contributes her time, expertise, and knowledge towards the betterment of the finance sector via numerous industry panels and boards. She sits on MFAA’s National Equipment and Commercial Finance panel and their Opportunities for Women initiative.

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Recognised and awarded as an industry leader, Mhairi advocates, commentates, and guest speaks to and on behalf of the finance industry. Acknowledged as a ‘Change Agent’ for the industry, Mhairi is listed as one of the Global 100 Brokers and Bankers across New Zealand, Canada and Australia. It’s an honour Mhairi shares with just twenty-two other Australian recipients.

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Mhairi is a strong advocate for Corporate Social Responsibility. Her vision is to see the finance industry remain relevant to the changing needs of consumers by ensuring businesses offer planet friendly, environmentally sustainable, diversity and socially responsible cause related choices.

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In her mission to fast-track the finance sectors adoption of Corporate Social Responsibility Mhairi developed ‘The Giving Forecast’. A finance industry-first, the innovative cloud-based tech platform enables any business large or small to manage, track and measure their charitable endeavours and engagement within their community.

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Giving back to the community is a default mode for Mhairi. She walks the talk and as part of Astute Ability Finance Groups Social Responsibility she has successfully blended community engagement into the day-to-day running of her brokerage business.

An example is her enthusiasm for elevating the current level of financial literacy across Australia’s youth. This issue is underwritten by her ‘Young Entrepreneurs Program’. The program has taken Mhairi all over Australia to present the program to school students, youth groups, juvenile detention centres and indigenous youth from remote communities. Covering basic financial skills, the program is a game-changer offering participants a life changing experience and setting them on a path to future financial independence.

Mhairi is a trend spotter and believes for those in the finance sector with the vision and willingness to adopt their current business practices to meet the changing consumer environment and expectations - success will prevail.

Peter Gilchrist has been in real estate since he was 21 years old. By the time he was 30 he had 5 real estate offices in NZ. He turned to strategizing and helping individual companies, multiple office groups and franchise groups grow their businesses, developing programs that he has presented to thousands.

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Peter consults to CEO’s and management teams for some of the best franchises in the country. He has also been heavily involved with the mortgage broking industry selling the first franchise he was involved with to AMP in 2010. He is involved now with Nectar Mortgages who have over 80 brokers across Australia.

Well known for his holistic no nonsense down to earth strategies for growth, his cut through style has led to many, many managers in the industry to make sweeping change and reap the benefits.

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Balance is also at the core of Peters philosophy and thousands in 5 different countries have worked with him in the area of mindfulness, wellbeing and living your best life!

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The man behind every buy, every exchange and every settlement – a world-class commercial property expert, building an industry-first Commercial Buyers Agency empire. As Co-Founder of Costi Cohen, Tas is leading a team of strategically chosen professionals in a growing world of opportunity, with his clients at the forefront to reap all the rewards derived from his ambition.

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With over a decade in the field, Tas is an established property mentor with peak industry affiliations. Having completed a Bachelor of Business and International Law at UTS, a Real Estate Agent & Auctioneer licence and securing a Diploma of Building / Construction (Licensed Builder), Tas is an industry leading property expert, creating a legacy pace for commercial buyers’ agents.

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His mission? Simple. Perfecting a commercial property journey in a fashion that delivers excellence and value to the client that Australia has never experienced before. With our clients' interests always at the forefront of any decision, his unparalleled commitment to them will ensure that you are in the right hands for your next move in commercial property.

Director of Quantum Business Finance, which arranges Equipment Finance (Lease, Hire Purchase and Chattel Mortgage). Our clients range from small and medium sized businesses through to ASX200 companies and Government authorities, and we assist them to acquire the necessary plant, machinery, motor vehicles, computers etc that are used to run their businesses. Quantum is a broker with a panel of over 25 commercial lenders, from whom we source the best outcome for the customer, and then arrange the approval and documentation through to settlement. Broking firms like Quantum are known for their long-term personal relationship with each customer, which allows us to have "line of sight" and a first-hand understanding of each customer's needs. We are a highly capable business that assists other capable businesses. See www.quantumbusiness.com.au

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Board Patron and Past President of Commercial & Asset Finance Brokers Association of Australia (CAFBA), which is the peak national body of both commercial and equipment finance brokers in Australia. CAFBA is a self-regulating body which enforces stringent education, probity and procedural standards on its members, and advocates for its members and their clients through high-level engagement with regulators and legislators. CAFBA strives for industry excellence through education and scholarship programs, and is heavily engaged with regulators to make the clear distinctions between the very different needs between consumer and commercial borrowers.. See www.cafba.com.au

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Advisor and Former Deputy Chair of the Council of Small Business Australia (COSBOA), which is the country’s peak body exclusively representing the interests of SME businesses. COSBOA has a proud history of strong advocacy on small business issues ranging from taxation and workplace relations, through to competition law and retail tenancy. COSBOA is an association made up of associations whose members are small and privately owned businesses. (e.g. The Pharmacy Guild, Master Grocers, etc) and we are the collective voice exclusively representing the interests of small businesses through policy change and regulatory reform at all levels of Government. See www.cosboa.org.au

GREATEST AERIAL SKIER OF ALL TIME

 

Jacqui Cooper has represented Australia in the sport of Aerial Skiing for 20 years. Her career started in 1989 at Mt Buller when she was recruited by Geoff Lipshut (CEO of the OWIA) to join the Techne Team. Within three years she was already representing her country at the World Championships in Lake Placid New York; by 1994 she competed at the Lillehammer Winter Olympics. In 1999, just ten years after starting her sport she became a World Champion; the next ten years would see her dominate and revolutionise her sport.

 

In a very long and decorated career she has competed in 139 World Cup Events, nine World Championships and been selected to five Winter Olympic Teams. When Jacqui competed in Vancouver in February 2010 she became the first Australian woman in history (summer or winter Olympics) to represent Australia at five Games.

 

Her record five world titles, 39 World Cup medals, 24 World Cup wins and three major World Championship medals has left Jacqui as the greatest Aerial skier of all time (man or woman); an achievement that will go unbeaten for decades.

 

Her sport is unforgiving; she has had knee, elbow, shoulder and hip reconstructions. In 2001 she broke her back in an attempt to win a record 3rd World Title; she went on and won it. In 2002 at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics she injured her knee and broke her leg just two days before the Olympic competition ending years of dreaming, willing and wanting.

 

In 2010, Jacqui competed in Vancouver after a year of intense hip and knee rehabilitation; she shocked doctors and surgeons by her will, inner strength and courage to make a brave attempt to be competitive at those games. She spent most of the months leading into the Olympics in a wheel chair, learning to walk again, and gaining confidence in a sport that is brutal and cruel. She stunned her rivals, coaches, and team mates when she came fifth; her best Olympic result in the 20 years.

 

"Jacqui Cooper is a true legend. She did not win a medal, but her performance in finishing 5th in the women’s freestyle aerial event epitomised all that is so great about Australian sport."  – Matt Miller, CEO Australian Sports Commission

 

Jacqui's story is one of self belief, passion, triumph, tragedy and the ability to overcome adversity.

Master of Ceremonies

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Michael Phillipou is the Chief Executive Officer for Sandstone Technology, a market-leading financial technology company with 35 customers across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the United Kingdom.

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Deeply passionate about people leadership, banking, financial services & technology, Michael has over 20 years' experience in financial services holding Executive people leadership roles in Advice, Retail & Business Banking, Digital Banking and Enterprise Technology Sales & Transformation programs for Westpac, MLC aligned businesses, Bendigo Bank and Lodex. 

 

In addition, he is a Non-Executive Director for LIXI, an industry-owned data standard across Australia & New Zealand. Michael holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Bachelor of Science (Maths), Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) and Certificate IV in Financial Services (Finance / Mortgage Broking).